U.S. patent application number 10/741050 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for expandable desiccant element.
This patent application is currently assigned to WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Cunkelman, Brian L., Mitsch, Matthew D..
Application Number | 20050132887 10/741050 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34678042 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050132887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitsch, Matthew D. ; et
al. |
June 23, 2005 |
Expandable desiccant element
Abstract
An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream. Such expandable desiccant element includes at least one
first expandable containment section capable of expanding a first
predetermined amount, at least one second expandable containment
section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which is
greater than said first predetermined amount connected to the first
expandable containment section. Such at least one first expandable
containment section and at least one second expandable containment
section forming a predetermined shape. There is a means for
removing moisture from such air stream disposed within said
containment sections.
Inventors: |
Mitsch, Matthew D.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Cunkelman, Brian L.;
(Blairsville, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEBB LAW FIRM, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
34678042 |
Appl. No.: |
10/741050 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
96/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 55/17 20130101;
B01D 53/261 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
096/108 |
International
Class: |
B01D 053/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, said expandable desiccant element comprising: (a) at
least one first expandable containment section capable of expanding
a first predetermined amount; (b) at least one second expandable
containment section capable of expanding a second predetermined
amount which is greater than said first predetermined, amount
connected to said first expandable containment section and forming
a predetermined shape; (c) a means for removing moisture from such
air stream disposed within said containment sections.
2. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second
expandable containment section is made from a material with at
least about a 30 percent expansion capability.
3. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 2, wherein said at least one second
expandable containment section is made from at least one of a Lycra
material and an equivalent.
4. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first
expandable containment section is made from at least one of a
breathable felt material and an equivalent.
5. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 1, wherein said means for removing
moisture is a drying agent.
6. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 5, wherein said drying agent is at
least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
7. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape
formed by said at least one first expandable containment section
and said at least one second expandable containment section is
substantially cylindrical.
8. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 7, wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a length of between about 11 inches and about
11.3 inches in an unexpanded state.
9. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 7, wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a diameter of between about 4.1 and about
4.25 inches in an unexpanded state.
10. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 9, wherein a centrally located
portion of said substantially cylindrical shape has a diameter of
at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state.
11. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first
expandable section and said at least one second expandable section
are sewn together.
12. In combination with a regenerative desiccant air dryer having a
dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer, outlet check valves, inlet
check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer, purge valves, and a
drain valve, the improvement comprising an expandable desiccant
element including: (a) at least one first expandable containment
section capable of expanding a first predetermined amount; (b) at
least one second expandable containment section capable of
expanding a second predetermined amount which is greater than said
first predetermined amount connected to said first expandable
containment section and forming a predetermined shape; (c) a means
for removing moisture from such air stream disposed within said
containment sections.
13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said at least
one second expandable containment section is made from a material
with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability.
14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said at least
one second expandable containment section is made from at least one
of a Lycra material and an equivalent.
15. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said at least
one first expandable containment section is made from at least one
of a breathable felt material and an equivalent.
16. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said means for
removing moisture is a drying agent.
17. The combination according to claim 16, wherein said drying
agent is at least one of a molecular sieve and activated
alumina.
18. The combination according to claim 17, wherein said
predetermined shape formed by said at least one first expandable
section and said at least one second expandable outer section is
substantially cylindrical.
19. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 18, wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a length of between about 11 inches and about
11.3 inches in an unexpanded state.
20. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 18, wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a diameter of between about 4.1 and about
4.25 inches in an unexpanded state.
21. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream, according to claim 18, wherein a centrally located
portion of said substantially cylindrical shape has a diameter of
at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to drying agents.
More particularly, the invention relates to a drying agent for use
in a regenerative desiccant air dryer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air dryers are commonly used to remove moisture from a
compressed air stream so that a minimum of moisture is introduced
into the devices powered by the compressed air. Moisture can have a
detrimental impact on such downstream devices, such as ice
blockage, rust, and lack of proper lubrication. It is highly
important in a compressed air system to provide the driest air
possible to the downstream devices, and is critical for the safe
and proper operation of locomotives and rail cars.
[0003] There are several designs of air dryers used on locomotives
today, and a regenerative desiccant air dryer is the most common.
The periodic replacement of the drying agent is a required
maintenance procedure, and can be a difficult, messy, and wasteful
process with prior art dryers, since in some types the drying agent
is pored loosely into the dryer tanks. Other prior art dryers offer
cartridges that have the drying agent contained within them, but
these cartridges must be made to exacting tolerances so that the
wet air does not pass around the cartridge. This makes the
cartridge more difficult and expensive to manufacture, but eases
the maintenance process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, the invention generally provides an
expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an air
stream. Such expandable desiccant element includes at least one
first expandable containment section capable of expanding a first
predetermined amount, at least one second expandable containment
section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which is
greater than such first predetermined amount connected to the first
expandable containment section. Such at least one first expandable
containment section and at least one second expandable containment
section forming a predetermined shape. There is a means for
removing moisture from such air stream disposed within such
containment sections.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention generally provides an
expandable desiccant element in combination with a regenerative
desiccant air dryer. The regenerative desiccant air dryer has a
dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer, outlet check valves, inlet
check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer, purge valves, and a
drain valve. The improvement comprises an expandable desiccant
element including at least one first expandable containment section
capable of expanding a first predetermined amount and at least one
second expandable containment section capable of expanding a second
predetermined amount which is greater than such first predetermined
amount connected to the first expandable containment section and
forming a predetermined shape. The combination further includes a
means for removing moisture from such air stream disposed within
such containment sections.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore the primary object of the present invention
to provide an expandable desiccant element that offers a reduction
in the amount of wet air passing around it.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
expandable desiccant element that offers the ability to expand and
contract.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an expandable desiccant element that offers less complicated
manufacturing methods.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an expandable desiccant element that offers ease of
insertion and removal.
[0010] In addition to the above-described objects and advantages of
the expandable desiccant element, various other objects and
advantages of the present invention will become more readily
apparent to the persons who are skilled in the same and related
arts from the following more detailed description of the invention,
particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with
the attached drawing figures and the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of an expandable desiccant element in
an unexpanded state.
[0012] FIG. 2 is side view of an expandable desiccant element in an
expanded state.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of an expandable desiccant
element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Prior to proceeding to a much more detailed description of
the present invention, it should be noted that identical components
which have identical functions have been identified with identical
reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the
drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding of the
invention.
[0015] Referring initially to FIG. 1 an expandable desiccant
element constructed according to a presently preferred embodiment
of the invention is generally designated 10. The expandable
desiccant element 10 includes at least one first expandable
containment section 14 capable of expanding a first predetermined
amount and at least one second expandable containment section 16
capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which is greater
than such first predetermined amount connected to the first
expandable containment section 14. The first expandable section 14
and second expandable section 16 are sewn together in a presently
preferred embodiment.
[0016] The second expandable containment section 16 is made from a
material with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability.
[0017] In a presently preferred embodiment, the second expandable
containment section 16 is made from at least one of a Lycra
material and an equivalent. The first expandable containment
section 14 is made from at least one of a breathable felt material
and an equivalent in a presently preferred embodiment.
[0018] The first expandable containment section 14 and second
expandable containment section 16 form a predetermined shape. In a
presently preferred embodiment, the predetermined shape formed by
the first expandable containment section 14 and the second
expandable containment section 16 is substantially cylindrical. The
substantially cylindrical shape has a length of between about 11
inches and about 11.3 inches in an unexpanded state, and has a
diameter of between about 4.1 and about 4.25 inches in an
unexpanded state. A centrally located portion of such substantially
cylindrical shape has a diameter of at least about 4.31 inches in
an expanded state.
[0019] Further included in the expandable desiccant element 10 is a
means 26 disposed within the containment sections for removing
moisture from such air stream. Such means 26 for removing moisture
is a drying agent. In a presently preferred embodiment, the drying
agent is at least one of a molecular sieve and activated
alumina.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 there is an expandable
desiccant element 10 in combination with a regenerative desiccant
air dryer (not shown). The regenerative desiccant air dryer
includes a dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer, outlet check
valves, inlet check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer, purge
valves, and a drain valve. The improvement includes an expandable
desiccant element 10 having at least first expandable containment
section 14 capable of expanding a first predetermined amount, and
at least one second expandable containment section 16 capable of
expanding a second predetermined amount which is greater than such
first predetermined amount connected to such first expandable
containment section 14 and forming a predetermined shape.
[0021] There is a means 26 disposed within the containment sections
of the expandable desiccant element for removing moisture from such
air stream. Such means 26 for removing moisture is a drying agent,
and in a presently preferred embodiment, the drying agent is at
least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
[0022] In this combination, the second expandable containment
section 16 of the expandable desiccant element 10 is made from a
material with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability, and
in a presently preferred embodiment, the second expandable
containment section 16 is made from at least one of a Lycra
material and an equivalent. The first expandable containment
section 14 of the expandable desiccant element 10 in this
combination is made from at least one of a breathable felt material
and an equivalent in a presently preferred embodiment.
[0023] The predetermined shape formed by the first expandable
section 14 and second expandable outer section 16 is substantially
cylindrical, and the substantially cylindrical shape has a length
of between about 11 inches and about 11.3 inches in an unexpanded
state. The substantially cylindrical shape further has a diameter
of between about 4.1 and about 4.25 inches in an unexpanded state,
and has a diameter of at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded
state. In the expanded state, a centrally located portion of the
expandable desiccant element 10 will be pressed adjacent the inner
wall (not shown) of a holding tank (not shown) for the expandable
desiccant element 10. When the expandable desiccant element 10 is
pressed adjacent the holding tank inner wall, such stream of moist
air will be forced through the expandable desiccant element 10 such
that the drying agent 26 can remove moisture from the air
stream.
[0024] While the present invention has been described by way of a
detailed description of a particularly preferred embodiment, it
will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
various substitutions of equivalents may be affected without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention set forth in
the appended claims.
* * * * *